Battery module transceiver for extending the range of an infrared remote controller

• US 6,751,419 B2
• Filed: 04/04/2002
• Issued: 06/15/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Truett S. Thomas
• Original Assignee: Truett S. Thomas
• Inventors: Thomas, Truett S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sedighian, M. R.
• Application Number:
  US10/114,943
• Publication Number:
  US 20020105698A1
• Time in Patent Office: 803 Days
• Field of Search: 398/115, 398/128, 398/130, 398/135, 398/138
• US Class Current: 398/115
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/40 Remote control systems using repeaters, converters, gateways
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 23/04 using light waves, e.g. infrared

Abstract

A battery module transceiver for extending the operational range of an infrared remote controller is disclosed. The battery module comprises: a battery power supply received within the battery module transceiver which provides power for the infrared remote controller and a transceiver received within the battery module transceiver. The transceiver has a detector for detecting a radio frequency pulse accompanying a first infrared signal generated from the infrared remote controller and a transmitter for generating a radio frequency signal in response to the radio frequency pulse.

Claims

1. A device associated with an infrared remote controller which controls a controlled device, comprising:

a transceiver which receives a radio frequency signal accompanying emission of an infrared signal generated by the infrared remote controller during control of the controlled device and which is representative of the infrared signal and in response to receiving the radio signal, transmits a radio frequency signal which is representative of the infrared signal.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

the transceiver comprises an antenna from which the radio frequency signal which is representative of the infrared signal is transmitted.

3. A device associated with an infrared remote controller which controls a controlled device, comprising:

a transceiver which includes means for detecting a radio frequency signal accompanying the emission of an infrared signal generated by the infrared remote controller during control of the controlled device and which is representative of the infrared signal and means for transmitting in response to the radio signal, which transmits a radio frequency signal which is representative of the infrared signal.

4. The device as claimed in claim 3, wherein:

the transceiver comprises an antenna from which the radio frequency signal is transmitted.

5. A method of control of a controlled device with an infrared controller comprising:

providing a first transceiver in association with the infrared controller which receives a radio frequency signal accompanying emission of an infrared signal generated by the infrared remote controller during control of the controlled device and which is representative of the infrared signal and which transmits a radio frequency signal which is representative of the infrared signal;

providing a second transceiver which receives the radio frequency signal transmitted by the first transceiver and in response to the received radio signal transmits an infrared signal which is representative of the infrared signal produced by the infrared controller;

transmitting the infrared signal from the infrared controller;

with the first transceiver receiving the radio frequency signal accompanying the emission of the infrared signal and transmitting the radio frequency signal which is representative of the infrared signal; and

with the second transceiver receiving the radio frequency signal transmitted by the first transceiver and transmitting an infrared signal representative of the infrared signal produced by the infrared controller to the controlled device to provide control thereof in accordance with the infrared signal transmitted by the infrared controller.

6. A method in accordance with claim 5 comprising:

providing a battery power supply; and

receiving the first transceiver in the battery power supply.

7. A method in accordance with claim 5 wherein:

providing the infrared controller with a housing comprising two compartments and receiving a battery power supply in one of the compartments and receiving the first transceiver in another of the compartments.

8. A system comprising:

a first transceiver, in association with an infrared controller, which detects a radio frequency signal accompanying the emission of an infrared signal generated by the infrared remote controller during control of a controlled device and which is representative of the infrared signal and in response to receiving of the radio frequency signal accompanying the emission of the infrared signal by the remote controller transmits a radio frequency signal which is representative of the infrared signal; and

a second transceiver which receives the radio frequency signal transmitted by the first transceiver and in response to receiving the radio frequency signal transmits an infrared signal which is representative of the infrared signal produced by the infrared controller; and

wherein

the infrared signal is transmitted from the infrared controller;

the first transceiver receives radio frequency signal accompanying the emission of the infrared signal and transmits the radio frequency signal which is representative of the infrared signal; and

the second transceiver receives radio frequency signal transmitted by the first transmitter and transmits an infrared signal which is representative of the infrared signal produced by the infrared controller to the controlled device to provide control thereof in accordance with the infrared signal transmitted by the infrared controller.

9. A system in accordance with claim 8 comprising:

a battery power supply which receives the first transducer.

10. A system in accordance with claim 8 wherein:

the infrared controller includes a housing comprising two compartments which receive the battery power supply in one of the compartments and receive the first transceiver in another of the compartments.